EPCRA 42 USC §10003(c)(7) reads:
Evacuation plans, including provisions for a precautionary
evacuation and alternative traffic routes.
General evacuation plans exist in many communities. They are often adequate for known natural disasters (such as floods and tornados). These plans vary from area to area and are usually the responsibility of the local Fire and Police Departments or ESDAs. The plans are generally designed for the hazards and facilities that exist within their municipality.
In the event of a Hazardous Materials incident, emergency responders may advise the community to take protective action. Protective action may include precautionary evacuation or 'shelter–in–place'.
During a Hazardous Materials incident, it is the responsibility of the Incident Commander (see the glossary entry on ICS) or the Unified Commander (see UCS) to assess the situation and decide on what protective action to take. In Illinois, the Incident Commander is usually the ranking fire department official on–scene. The Incident Commander would notify the police or the mayor to initiate the order for evacuation. The evacuation is then directed by the Incident Commander and usually implemented by the police department.
The LEPC will distribute our CAMEO database to emergency responders, and we will advise them of our hazard analyses. The LEPC hopes that the information collected in CAMEO will be used by local planners and Incident Commanders to give them a more accurate understanding of which areas, facilities, and special locations have a higher threat based on their proximity to an EHS facility. This will result in evacuation planning that includes the risk of EHS releases.
The LEPC will also identify and notify those affected facilities and special locations and encourage them to improve evacuation and 'shelter–in–place' plans. This will allow them to prepare for successful protective actions.
Last Section
Back to
CERP Table of Contents
